In recent news, a leading agriculture economist indicated that animal agriculture or animal husbandry may provide the best possibility for crop diversification. This article delves into the matter further, examining what crop diversification means, its types, benefits and challenges, along with related initiatives and ways forward.
Understanding Crop Diversification
Crop diversification is associated with incorporating new crops or cropping systems into a farm’s agricultural production. This practice considers the varied returns from value-added crops that offer complementary marketing opportunities. It involves various cropping systems like sequential-cropping, monocropping, intercropping, relay cropping, mixed-cropping, and alley cropping. Many farmers also elevate their living standards and income via a mixed crop-livestock system.
Insight into Animal Agriculture
Animal agriculture or animal husbandry can be crucial to crop diversification. This field involves the human practice of breeding, farming, and caring for farm animals like cattle, dogs, sheep, and horses for various advantages. Animal agriculture focuses on livestock raising and selective breeding, making it a vital branch of agriculture.
The Benefits of Crop Diversification
Crop diversification brings several advantages, including an increase in income for smaller landholdings. Currently, 70-80% of farmers possess land below 2 hectares. By introducing high-value crops like maize and pulses, these farmers can enhance their yield and income. Crop diversification also aids in economic stability; by being more resilient to price fluctuations in various farm products. Furthermore, it promotes a healthy balance of food demand, improves socio-economic statuses, assists in natural resource conservation, and mitigates the impacts of natural calamities.
The Challenges Faced
Notwithstanding its many advantages, crop diversification faces several challenges. Rainfall-dependent areas, resource overuse, inadequate supply of improved cultivar seeds and plants, and underdeveloped infrastructure are among the primary concerns. Additionally, animal agriculture’s environmental impact is a significant obstacle. It is the second-largest contributor to human-made greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels and leads to deforestation, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Other Related Initiatives
Several initiatives have been launched in response to these challenges, including the Refrigeration System Pusa-FSF, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Mega Food Parks, and Seed-Hub Centres. These measures aim to promote sustainable farming practices and mitigate the potential negative impacts.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, crop diversification remains a promising avenue for doubling farmer income and ensuring national food security. Therefore, government intervention by buying crops other than wheat and rice at the Minimum Support Price is essential. In addition, smarter livestock handling, technology-based monitoring of fertilizer application, and more efficient agricultural techniques can help limit agricultural emissions. Together, these strategies could help conserve dwindling underground water supplies, showing the positive potential for crop diversification in the future.
